Training device fitted with a wheel for a golfer

ABSTRACT

A training device for a golfer includes a club having a shaft and a head in which the head extends laterally from a lower end of the shaft and a wheel, having a convex arc-shaped profile, mounted on the head about a substantially horizontal axis, the wheel projecting downwards relative to the head and structured and arranged to roll on a substantially flat horizontal receiving surface during a movement of the club simulating a movement of hitting a golf ball. Moreover, the wheel is structured and arranged to make contact with the receiving surface substantially at a single point progressively movable along the arc-shaped profile when an angle of inclination of the axis relative to the receiving surface varies. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of French Patent Application No. 03010015 filed Aug. 19, 2003, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a training device for a golfer. The training device includes a club having a shaft and a head, the head extending laterally from the lower end of the shaft, and a wheel or castor mounted on the head. The wheel or castor being mounted about a substantially horizontal axis, projecting downwards relative to the head so as to roll on a substantially flat, horizontal receiving surface during a movement of the club simulating the movement of hitting a golf ball.

2. Discussion of Background Information

International publication number WO 99/56838 describes a device of this kind where the wheel is in the form of a cylindrical roller which makes contact, along a generatrix, with the receiving surface of an evaluation platform when a rotation axis of the device is parallel to this surface, and makes contact at only one point when this axis is oblique relative to the receiving surface. Obviously, the result of this is that the reaction of the evaluation platform is influenced by any tilting of the axis of the wheel, even if this tilt is slight and does not affect the quality of the hitting movement. Moreover, a point of impact of this kind may damage the wheel and/or is stressful to the joints in the player's arm.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the invention is to overcome these drawbacks.

Two parameters play a decisive role in the movement (known as the swing) to be performed by a golfer in order to hit a ball: the swing plane and the swing arc. The swing plane is the plane in which the head of the club travels. This plane must be oriented so as to send the ball in the right direction. The swing arc is the trajectory described by the club head in the swing plane. It should be such that the head hits the ball and the ground at a precise point. It is wrong if the head hits the ground before the ball.

One aspect of the device according to the present invention is to enable the player to train daily so as to perfect his swing without having to have access to a golf course. In this regard, in order to hit a ball correctly over and over again it is essential to master the swing completely, which takes a great deal of practice on the part of the golfer.

The invention relates particularly to a device of the kind described hereinbefore, and specifies that the wheel or castor should have a convex arc-shaped profile so as to make contact with the receiving surface substantially at a single point which moves progressively along the profile when the angle of inclination of the axis relative to the receiving surface varies.

Optional additional or alternative features of the invention are recited hereinafter:

-   -   The castor or wheel is substantially spherical.     -   The castor or wheel is about 40 mm in diameter.     -   The castor or wheel is made of a material adapted to reduce the         shock of any impact with a hard surface.

One aspect of the invention includes a training device for a golfer. The training device includes a club having a shaft and a head in which the head extends laterally from a lower end of the shaft and a wheel, having a convex arc-shaped profile, mounted on the head about a substantially horizontal axis, the wheel projecting downwards relative to the head and structured and arranged to roll on a substantially flat horizontal receiving surface during a movement of the club simulating a movement of hitting a golf ball. Moreover, the wheel is structured and arranged to make contact with the receiving surface substantially at a single point progressively movable along the arc-shaped profile when an angle of inclination of the axis relative to the receiving surface varies.

In a further aspect of the invention, the wheel can be substantially spherical. Moreover, the wheel can be approximately 40 mm in diameter. Furthermore, the wheel can include a material structured and arranged to reduce the shock of impact with a hard surface. Additionally, the wheel includes an elastomer. Moreover, the head can include a cutout and the wheel is partially arranged in the cutout. Furthermore, the wheel can be substantially spheroidal.

Another aspect of the invention includes a golfing device having a club having a shaft and a head in which the head extends from a lower end of the shaft and a wheel having a varying diameter that projects from the head and that is structured and arranged to rotate about an axis and to roll on a substantially flat receiving surface during a movement of the club simulating a swing.

In a further aspect of the invention the wheel can include a material structured and arranged to reduce the shock of impact with a hard surface. Moreover, the wheel can include an elastomer. Furthermore, the head can include a cutout and the wheel can be partially arranged in the cutout. Additionally, the wheel can be structured and arranged to make contact with the receiving surface substantially at a single point progressively movable along a profile of the wheel when an angle of inclination of the axis relative to the receiving surface varies. Moreover, the wheel can substantially be a spheroid.

Yet another aspect of the invention includes a golfing device including a club having a shaft and a head in which the head extends from a lower end of the shaft and a wheel having a non-uniform diameter that projects from the head and that is structured and arranged to rotate. Furthermore, the head includes a cutout and the wheel is partially arranged in the cutout.

In a further aspect of the invention the wheel can include a material structured and arranged to reduce the shock of impact with a hard surface. Moreover, the wheel can include an elastomer and is structured and arranged to make contact with a receiving surface substantially at a single point progressively movable along the a profile of the wheel when an angle of inclination of the axis relative to the receiving surface varies. Furthermore, the wheel can include an elastomer. Additionally the wheel can include a substantially spheroidal shape.

The features and advantages of the invention will be described in more detail in the description that follows, referring to the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The single FIGURE is a partial elevation of a club according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The club 1 shown in FIG. 1 has the general shape of a conventional iron-type golf club and has a substantially straight elongated shaft 2 and a head 3. The shaft 2 is shown approximately in the position corresponding to the position of a conventional club when the head 3 is hitting a ball.

According to the invention a substantially semi-circular cutout 8 is formed in the head 3, from the lower edge 4 thereof, formed by the face and the bottom, so as to partially accommodate a spherical castor or wheel 9. The castor or wheel 9 is mounted on the head 3 so as to rotate about an axis A1 substantially parallel to the edge 4 and located slightly above the latter. The axis A1 also being substantially horizontal. In the embodiment shown, the castor or wheel 9 is integral with a hub 5 rotatably mounted on a spindle 6 fixed to the head 3. The castor or wheel 9 is hollow and may also be made of a material adapted to reduce the shock of impact such as an elastomer. The castor or wheel 9 projects by a height of about 0.5 mm relative to the edge 4.

In the position of the club 1 shown, the castor or wheel 9 may travel over a substantially horizontal receiving surface while being in contact with the surface at virtually only one point. This is still true, within certain limits, when the orientation of the shaft 2 moves towards or away from the vertical direction, the axis A1 being inclined in one direction or the other relative to the horizontal plane, and the point of contact between the receiving surface and the castor or wheel 9 moving along the generatrix thereof. During a swing, the castor or wheel 9 thus hits the receiving surface and is able to roll along it while tolerating, with no damage or effect on the quality of the swing, a variation of about ±3° in the orientation of the shaft 2 or head 3 relative to the horizontal plane.

The club according to the invention has, in particular, the following advantages compared with the club with a cylindrical roller according to WO 99/56838:

-   -   It avoids the risk of a contact which would be destructive to         the club or to the platform in the event of a severe impact.     -   It tolerates substantial variations in the tilt of the club head         relative to the horizontal playing surface which occur during         the swing.     -   Its larger diameter allows it to be hollow or to be made of a         soft material in order to deaden impact and thereby protect the         player's joints. 

1-4. (Canceled).
 5. A training device for a golfer, comprising: a club having a shaft and a head in which the head extends laterally from a lower end of the shaft; and a wheel, having a convex arc-shaped profile, mounted on the head about a substantially horizontal axis, the wheel projecting downwards relative to the head and structured and arranged to roll on a substantially flat horizontal receiving surface during a movement of the club simulating a movement of hitting a golf ball, wherein the wheel is structured and arranged to make contact with the receiving surface substantially at a single point progressively movable along said arc-shaped profile when an angle of inclination of the axis relative to the receiving surface varies.
 6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the wheel is substantially spherical.
 7. The device according to claim 5, wherein the wheel is approximately 40 mm in diameter.
 8. The device according to claim 5, wherein the wheel comprises a material structured and arranged to reduce the shock of impact with a hard surface.
 9. The device according to claim 5, wherein the wheel comprises an elastomer.
 10. The device according to claim 5, wherein the head includes a cutout and the wheel is partially arranged in the cutout.
 11. The device according to claim 5, wherein the wheel is substantially spheroidal.
 12. A golfing device comprising: a club having a shaft and a head in which the head extends from a lower end of the shaft; and a wheel having a varying diameter that projects from the head and that is structured and arranged to rotate about an axis and to roll on a substantially flat receiving surface during a movement of the club simulating a swing.
 13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the wheel comprises a material structured and arranged to reduce the shock of impact with a hard surface.
 14. The device according to claim 12, wherein the wheel comprises an elastomer.
 15. The device according to claim 12, wherein the head includes a cutout and the wheel is partially arranged in the cutout.
 16. The device according to claim 12, wherein the wheel is structured and arranged to make contact with the receiving surface substantially at a single point progressively movable along a profile of the wheel when an angle of inclination of the axis relative to the receiving surface varies.
 17. The device according to claim 12, wherein the wheel is substantially a spheroid.
 18. A golfing device comprising: a club having a shaft and a head in which the head extends from a lower end of the shaft and a wheel having a non-uniform diameter that projects from the head and that is structured and arranged to rotate, wherein the head includes a cutout and the wheel is partially arranged in the cutout.
 19. The device according to claim 18, wherein the wheel comprises a material structured and arranged to reduce the shock of impact with a hard surface.
 20. The device according to claim 18, wherein the wheel comprises an elastomer and is structured and arranged to make contact with a receiving surface substantially at a single point progressively movable along said a profile of the wheel when an angle of inclination of the axis relative to the receiving surface varies.
 21. The device according to claim 18, wherein the wheel comprises an elastomer.
 22. The device according to claim 18, wherein the wheel comprises a substantially spheroidal shape. 